Phool Makhana

Phool Makhana

For the uninitiated, Phool Makhana is lotus seeds which puff up like popcorn when roasted. They are also called Gorgon nuts/foxnuts. They have a strong mention in ancient Chinese medicine and Ayurveda owing to their medicinal/nutritional value. If intrigued, do check the internet for more.
Phool Makhana is readily available in any Indian/Asian stores. In India this is used extensively in curries, desserts, snacks and in certain Indian breads. I will share a few quick recipes here which are great as tea time snack and make a great travel snack for kids.

So👇🏼Makhana 3 ways.

1) Caramel Makhana
2) Makhana Trail Mix
3) Butter Roasted Makhana

Makhana Trail Mix

Butter Roasted Makhana

Caramel Makhana

Recipe :

1) first step is common for all, in a thick bottomed pan dry roast the Makhana on medium for 15-20 mins, until they become crunchy but colour shouldn't change 

Roasted plain makhana

2) for caramel, in a thick bottomed pan add Jaggery or brown sugar roughly 3 tablespoons, once it melts add 1 teaspoon Ghee and 1 tablespoon white sesame/till seeds and keep stirring until you see the jaggery bubble, switch off the stove, add the Makhana and mix well until well coated..they may look all stuck together don't worry,  once they cool down a little you can separate them. 

Jagger bubbling with till seeds and ghee 

Mixing the makhana

Caramel Makhana

3)For trail mix - add 1 teaspoon coconut oil and fry curry leaves, sunflower seeds and roasted Channa and put them in a bowl,  next add another teaspoon of coconut oil add a handful of cashews, almonds, once golden put them in the bowl...now add walnuts hazelnuts, roast and put them in the bowl, next add another teaspoon coconut oil add Makhana and roast again and put them in a bowl now add salt, pepper, turmeric powder and paprika and mix them all up while tossing the bowl lightly -(you can add any nuts and seeds of your choice) 

Trail Mix

4) butter roasted makhana - add 1 tablespoon butter in a pan add pepper,  salt turmeric and paprika now add the makhana and toss lightly and they are ready.

Butter Roasted

All of these keep good for a week in an airtight container, even longer, I suppose, but it has never lasted that long., So I have no clue 😅 #superfoods #makhana